Britain's Roads Reach Breaking Point: 123 Million Working Hours Lost Each Year Due To Traffic Delays

Over 123 million working hours are lost every year as motorists sit gridlocked in their vehicles during their daily commute, reveals research commissioned by Churchill Car Insurance*.

With more than one in 10 (11 per cent) of those who drive to work reporting that they are at least 40 minutes late every time they are stuck in traffic, it is estimated that the UK economy loses at least £752 million** a year as a result of the gridlock.

The average motorist is delayed by 27 minutes at least once a month, which doubles their usual 30 minute journey time. Consequently, those who drive to work are being forced to change their daily routines.

The traditional nine to five is now seemingly a thing of the past, as over half of motorists (51 per cent) arrive at work before 8.30am. For an unfortunate one in five (21 per cent) drivers, the day in the office starts between 5.15am and 7.30am in attempt to beat the traffic.

As well as the early starts, traffic worries result in one in eight (12 per cent) employees working longer hours purely to avoid traffic. A further one in six (15 per cent) say they have been forced to shift their working hours just to avoid driving on congested roads.

It would appear that traffic congestion is not just increasing motorists' workloads, but raising their blood pressure as well. Daily delays cause drivers to worry on the way to work, with one in five (19 per cent) of those who drive to work arriving stressed because of their journey.

Despite the pitfalls of the daily commute, millions of motorists say they have no choice but to brave the roads as, for one in three (30 per cent) workers, there is no feasible alternative form of transport.

Tony Chilcott, head of Churchill Car Insurance, said: "It's incredibly frustrating for motorists to have to adapt their working hours just to avoid congestion on the roads. However, many drivers have to accommodate the school run and other commitments in the mornings, so it's simply unrealistic to leave home at the crack of dawn. The result is millions of working hours wasted in traffic jams each year. "

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